Over one million Americans die from a terminal illness every year.
Many of them could be saved were it not for the incredible bureaucratic red tape created by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Because of the FDA’s excessive regulation and application process, it typically costs a biotechnology company $1 billion or more – and takes 10 years or more – to bring a new drug to market.
Most terminally ill patients have no more than 5 years to live … so many of them die before a potential life-saving drug for their disease is available.
But hope is being given to some through Right-to-Try legislation at the state level – legislation that gives terminally ill patients access to experimental treatments that have passed basic safety testing (Phase I) with the FDA … but have not yet reached final approval.
Right-to-Try legislation has been signed into law in 38 states so far … and President Trump called for federal Right-to-Try approval in this year’s State of the Union address.
The Senate passed the Right to Try Act last August … and just last week the House passed a similar bill.
As soon as a compromise bill is worked out in a House-Senate committee and is signed into law by President Trump … hope will be extended to terminally ill patients in all 50 states.
Meanwhile, who opposes Right-to-Try?
The FDA … pharmaceutical companies that could lose money … and the medical establishment…
Hopefully part of draining the swamp will be giving Americans greater freedom in accessing healthcare treatments.
Watch this video about how Right-to-Try legislation works (5 minutes):
What do you think? Write me at craig@craighuey.com